Gas generating apparatus



Sept. 15, 1931. H. F. SMITH 1,823,382

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet. l

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H. F. SMITH GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec.

Sept. 15, 1931.

Sept. 15, 1931. H. F. SMITH, 1,823,382

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. l4 ,-1925 4 Sheets-Sheet. 5

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GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L Egl].

-tion and distribution l atented Sept. 15, 1931 entree stares ParanaoFricE.

HARRY F. SMITH, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAS RESEARCH COMPANY,

OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO GAS GENERATING APPARATUSApplication filed December This invention relates to. gas generation andmore particularly to thezgeneration t gas for domestic-or household use.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide for'theproduction and distribution of combustible gas, particularly fordomestic or household use, and for remote control of the generation anddistribution. V

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for producingsuch combustible gas in which the generation and distribution can becontrolled from one or more distant points.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas generating anddistributing systern of this character in which the generaof the gas isautomatically controlled during gas making operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such gas generatingand distributing apparatus in which the generation and distribution ofthe gas will be automatically controlled to prevent improper functioningof the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription thereoi as set out below when taken in connection withaccompanying drawings.

in the drawings in which like characters of reference designate likeparts throughout the s veral views thereof Fig. 1 is a somewhatdiagrammatic View, in elevation, of a gas producing and distributingsystem embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, generally in elevation, of the apparatus shown in Fig.1 and taken at right angles thereto along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View, with parts in elevation, of partsof the blasting andcontrol elements taken along the line- 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. i is a vertical sectional View, at right angles to Fig. 3, takenalong the line ii oi? Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view, diagrammatic in character, of the blasting and controlmechanism, and comprising a wiring oiagram of 14, 1925. Serial No.75,316.

the control mechanism, forming a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;i

Fig. 6 is an enlarged somewhat diagrammatic elevational View showing oneelement of the control mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar 10 is an elevation of apreferred form 01- producer with parts broken awayand .in section toillustrate the'construction thereof.

Whileapparatus for generating so-called producer 'as is of course oldand well known the conventional forms of producers heretoi ore known aretotally unsuited to the generation of gas for domestic or household use.For one thing the plants of this character heretofore generally usedhave been of such large capacity that none of them has been capable ofoperating under such small load as constitutes the normal demand of theaverage house. In addition producers of the character heretoforegenerally known are of little practical value so far as solving theproblem of furnishing gas for domestic or household use; for verypeculiar problems arise in con ection with such a plant. Among otherdefects, the heretofore generally known producers fail completely in thematter of furnishing gas immediately, or with a Very short waitingperiod, while at the same time providing for efiicient operation; theyalso fail completely in the matter of controls whereby the plant may beoperated from a distance; and they also fail completely in the questionof controls arranged to safeguard the user so that, for example,

asphyxiation, gas poisoning, or dangerous explosions will not result ifthe operator carelessly leaves a burner valve open, or any other leak inthe gas line occurs, or like abnormal operating conditions arise. Theform of apparatus herein shown as constituting a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is arranged to entirely eliminate all of the abovereferred to defects, and others also, and to provide a very small,compact, inexpensive, efiiciently and effectively operating gasgenerating system for household use, which is adapted for remote controland is substantially fool-proof in that its operationv is extremelysimple and the starting of the plant cannot take place if a valve hasbeen left open or any other substantial leak in the line is present; orother improper conditions exist.

The invention forming the subject matter of the present application isquite analogous to, and in some respects an improvement on, theinvention shown in the copending appli cation of Harry F. Smith, SerialNo. 469,97 6 filed May 16, 1921.

Fig. 1 shows in elevation, and somewhat diagrammatically, a domestic orhousehold gas generating system embodying the invention. This systemcomprises a gas producer or generator which is designated generally bythe numeral 10. This producer may be of any suitable character, but theconventional type of producer heretofore known has not been found at allsatisfactory or capable of functioning when constructed in the smallsizes which should be used for such domestic or household use. While anysuitable sort of producer may be used, therefore, neverthelessapplicants experience has shown that the producer should be one of thecharacter which he has developed, such a producer for instance as is shovn in his copending application, Serial No. 570,972 filed June 26, 1922.Such a producer or generator comprises generally a base memberdesignated generally by the numeral 11 which supports a shell 12, theshell being without any conventional lining but adapted to contain fuelthroughout its entire width, to whatever depth the fuel may beintroduced. The fuel bed is supported upon the base 11, and isintroduced through the fuel feeding mechanism 13, which comprises arotatable pocketed measuring device having the handles 14 attachedthereto, adapted to introduce the fuel in predetermined charges withoutallowing the ingress of air to the producer or the escape of gas fromthe producer. The gas passes off through a centrally arranged offtake15, as clearly described in the copending application just abovereferred to, the blast of air and moisture being introduced through anopening 15 in the base in the manner also described in that copendingapplication. The saturator 16 is disposed in the base and receives itsheat from the heated fuel bed and also from the offgoing gas passing offfrom the producer through the passage 17 in the base to which theofftake 15 is connected so that during operation the rate ofvaporization is substantially constant for a given load. Air passes intothe saturator 16 through an intake 18 opening to atmosphere, the airpassing into the ash pit 19 through a passage 18', and steam generatedin the saturator 16 passing into the ash pit 19 through an opening 19,the blast of mixed air and steam then passing through the blast inletopening 15 into the fuel bed. The passage of blast through the fuel bedis controlled so that the zone of incandescent fuel is at all timessurrounded by a zone of inactive or unburned fuel which serves toheatinsulate the active zone from the shell and thus cut down the heatlosses from the active or burning zone of the fuel bed through radiationlosses from the shell into the atmosphere to an unobjectionable amount.The hot generated gases pass from the fuel bed through the base 11 andthence through a coil or radiator 20, which may consist of an ordinarysection of steam radiator such as is used for steam radiating coils ingeneral household use, where it is cooled sufficiently to prevent damageto the material of the purifier 32 which removes impurities from thegas.

The gas generating system may be either pressure operated or suctionoperated, as desired. But preferably it is suction operated, the entiregas generating system being thus under partial vacuum which prevents thepossibility of the leakage of gas from the gas generating system intothe surrounding atmosphere. In order to provide the suction a suitableexhauster 25 is provided. This exhauster may be of any con ventionalcharacter, but very satisfactory results have been secured with a blowerof the character generally shown in the drawings, which blower comprisesa centrifugal fan or impeller having radial blades revolving in a volutecasing. Not only does such a blower efficiently and satisfactorilyprovide suitable suction for blasting the fuel bed in the producer andfor forcing the generated gas under adequate pressure to the deliveryline, but it is quiet in operation, and lends itself nicely to controlduring operation. This blower is driven by a suitable operating ordriving means illustrated as an electric motor 26, and functions tocause a suction for drawing a current or blast of air and moisturethrough the fuel bed to cause the generation of gas, this beinghereinafter termed blasting for purposes of easy description, and forforcing withdrawn gas through a delivery main or pipe 27 to suitablework devices. As illustrating a suitable worlr device the numeral 28designates generally a conventional gas stove such as is used forhousehold cooking. The inlet to this blower, which is designated by thenumeral 30, is connected to the outlet of the producer 10, the radiator20 and gas puri- 40 fuel used in the producer, and the purifier fier .32being interposed between the pro ducer and the blower inlet.

The cooled gas leaving the radiator 20 under the action of the blowerpasses into the purifier 32 where the impurities are removed. Thispurifier is generally of the same character as that shownin thecopending application of Harry F. Smith, Serial No. 570,972, filed June26, 1922, in which gas to be purified is passed through a layer offinely divided charcoal or the like, the sizes of the particles ofcharcoal being of dimensions which are proportionate to the dimensionsof particles of the impurities to be removed. While the general form ofpurifier is not of any particular importance so far as this instantinvention is concerned so long as the purifier is effective to removethe impurities to a sufficient degree, nevertheless its form is showngenerally. The purifier comprises a cylindrical metallic shell 33 whichhas mounted coaxially therein a cylindrical screen covered by a filtercloth of wool or similar material the screen and covering filter clothbeing designated generally by the numeral 34. In the modification shownthe filter cloth is on the inside of the screen and during operation hasmaintained thereon a thin layer of finely divided charcoal, or the like.The gas to be purified passes from the radiator into the cylindricalshell inside of the screen, thence through the screen and coated filtercloth to the exterior of the screen and thence outwardly through thepassage 30 to the inlet of the blower. As the gaspasses through thefilter cloth the impurities therein are deposited upon and within thelayer of purifying material on this cloth. These impurities will ofcourse vary with the character of the shown and described herein isprimarily adapted for cleaning gas generated from charcoal or the like.Where gas is generated from bituminous coal the quantities of tarproduced are very much larger than in the case of gas generated fromcharcoal and consequently a different type of purifier should preferablybe .used such, for example, as the commercially well-known glass wooltar eX- tractor. But with gas generated from charcoal the impuritiesconsist in part of solid particles of charcoal dust and the like,

associated 'with tar and lamp black and these are removed by this formof purifier. Purifiers of types heretofore known and used by others willnot remove a sufiiciently large percentage of the impurities in the gasto give satisfactory, operating conditions when the gas is intended forgeneral household use. But as stated above a layer of finely dividedcharcoal, the particles of which are of dimensions approaching thedimensions of the impurities to be removed will show a veryhigheffectiveness in cleaning, cer

tainly not less than 99.5% of the impurities being removed, andgenerally considerably more than this. The layer of finely dividedcharcoal should be at all times maintained on the cloth duringoperation. If not present a considerable part of the impurities would beremoved by the cloth alone, with the deposit of impurities upon andwithin the interstices provided by the fibres of the screen cloth; butthese impurities would so clog the interstices of the cloth as toobstruct and even prevent subsequent passage therethrough of the gas tobe cleaned. This permanently destroys the effectiveness of the cloth andnecessitates its replacement. And

after once so clogged the cloth may not thereafter be used. But if thecloth is, at the beginning of the cleaning operation and from time totime thereafter as needed, dusted or coated with charcoal dust or thelike, the impurities collect on the layer of I ings for accomplishingthis coating comi prises a closure for the shell 33 comprising a feedingmechanism 35 somewhat similar to the fuel feeding mechanism 13 which isarranged to introduce predetermined charges of finely divided charcoalinto the shell. The gas generating plant having been started a quantityof this finely divided charcoal is introduced into the shell, into thegas stream, this dust being deposited upon the inner surface of thefilter cloth and within the surface fibres to form a filtering layerwhich itself thereafter constitutes the filtering medium. The liquidimpurities in the gas generated from charcoal tend to clog the layer ofdust upon the screen, and to thus undesirably increasethe resistance toHow through the purifier. In order to provide for overcoming thiscondition the layer of impurities may be removed by a scraper and anadditional charge of finely divided charcoal introduced to build thefiltering layer back up to the desired thickness, which is a smallfraction of an inch, it having been found that with purifiers of thischaracter the zone of actual cleaning is con fined to a quite thin layerupon the surface. The material scraped from the filter cloth falls intothe bottom of the purifier where it may be removed from time to timethrough the door 37.

The gas drawn from the purifier by the blower is forced from the blowercasing through the outlet pipe 40, under any desired pressure, thepressure ordinarily in household use being only a few inches of water.Associated with this outlet pipe is suitable control valve mechanism bymeans of which it may be connected either to the I called intermittentoperation in that the plant operates to generate gas, generally, onlywhen gas is being used at a work device. Consequently if the plant hasbeen standing idle,standing by as it is called,it may be necessary toblast the fuel bed at a comparatively rapid rate for a brief period inorder to bring it up to good gas making condition. During starting ofthe plant, and during any such blowing up period, the blower should beconnected to a vent, as otherwise the products of the combustion duringthe blowing up period would be forced into the house. Genorally the gasproducer or generator will be located in the basement of the house, orin some outhouse, while the work devices, such as the stove illustrateddiagrammatically, the hot water tank, the gas mates and the like, willbe located in the living quarters of the house; so that the gas producerand the work devices may be located many feet apart. This invention. notonly provides control mechanism for the valve which connects the blowerto the vent or to the house line, but in addition provides suitablecontrol mechanism whereby operation of the gas generating plant may beeffected and controlled from a distant point, such for instance as asuitable control switch 45 located at the kitchen stove, or some similarplace, such control being hereafter termed remote control. In actualpractice this switch is preferably attached directly to the manifold 46along the front of the stove, within which are located the variousindividual burner valves which control operation of the stove.

The outlet pipe 40, of the blower is attached to the inlet opening 50,of the valve casing 51, which casing is divided by an up standingcircular partition 52 into two compartments and 54. The compartment 53is connected through the inlet opening 50 to the outlet 40 of theblower, the compartment 54 being connected through the restrictedopening 55 to the house delivery line 27. Inasmuch as the centrifugalblower delivers a definite maximum pressure at maximum operating speedthe restricted opening 55 determines the maximum amount of gas whichmaypass into the house line during operation. Positioned within thecompartment 54 is an upstanding hollow guide 58, which has slidablymount ed therein the stem 59 of the disc valve 60, which valve isadapted in one position to seat upon the upper edge of the partition 52.The upper end of the casing 51 is open, and is attached, in gas tightconnection, to the lower end of the casing 65, which has an opening orpassage 66 in the lower face thereof which opens into the open upper endof the casing 51. This opening 66 is provided with a downwardlyextending flange or seat 67, adapted to cooperate with the upper face ofthe valve 60. This open casing 65 has a chamber 68 therein, which isconnected to the passage 66. This chamber 68 is also connected by meansof the passage 69, with the vent pipe 42. Positioned within the chamber68 is an electromagnet designated generally by the numeral 75, whichcomprises generally a spool shaped core 76, having a suitable winding 77thereon, this magnet being adapted when energz'ized to lift the valve 60against the seat 67 to close connection between the inlet passage 50 andthe vent pipe 42. When the magnet is not energized the weight of thevalve 60 causes it to seat against the upper edge of the partition 52,thus opening connection between the inlet opening 50 and the vent pipe42 and closing connection between the inlet opening 50 and the houseline 27. hen the valve is held in uppermost position and against theseat 67 the inlet passage 50 is disconnected from the vent pipe and isconnected to the house line 27, so that gas under suitable pressure isfed to that line. VVithin the passage 69 is a restricted opening 70which functions with respect to the ventpipe just as does the opening 55with respect to the house line.

For effecting the desired control of the gas generation the switch 45may be made as a three-button switch, as shown diagrammatically in Fig.5. This switch in practice is preferably of the press button type, andeach button opens or closes contact through a line switch. As showndiagrammatically in Fig. 5 there is a switch 80, which is used to closethe proper circuits to cause the blower to start operating to blast theproducer; a second switch 81 which is adapted to switch connection ofthe producer from the vent pipe to the house line after the blowing upoperation has proceeded long enough to properly condition the activezone of the fuel bed; and a switch 82 which stops operation of theblower and thereby shuts down the plant.

When it is desired to start the operation of the producer, presumingthat it has been standing by, or that it is starting from cold and thefire is being freshly kindled therein from burning paper or the likeplaced in the ash pit of the producer, the button of the switch ispressed to close this switch.

One pole of this switch is connected by means of the conductor 84 to oneterminal of the battery 85 or to any other source of electrical energy.If desired the electrical controls may be arranged to plug into theordinary household electric line, with the use of suitable conventionaltransformers. It is only needed, therefore, that the switch 80 have onepole thereof attached to the source of electrical energy. The other poleis connected by means of the conductor 86, to one terminal of anelectromagnet 87, the other terminal of which magnet is connected bymeans of the conductor 88 to the other pole of the battery 85, or othersource of electrical energy. Closing the switch 80 energizes the magnet87 and this in turn attracts the armature 90 which is pivotally mountedadjacent the end of the core of the magnet 87. One end of this armature90 is connected to one side 91 of the house lighting line, the other endbeing provided with a contact 92 which cooperates with a correspondingcontact 93, the contact 93 being connected by means of the conductor 94with an electrode 95. This electrode is positioned within a suitablecontainer 100, preferably of glass, which container comprises aninverted tube, closed at the top, within which the electrode 95 ismounted, and open at the bottom, the bottom extending down into a glasscontainer 101, which is supported upon the top of the casing 65. Thiscontainer holds a considerable quantity of electrolyte of any suitablecharacter which is designated generally by the numeral 102, and thelower open end of the tube extends to terminate within the electrolyteand below the end of the electrode 95. In practice it has been foundthat very satisfactory results have been obtained where this electrolyteconsists of very dilute sulphuric acid. A thin layer 103 of paralhn oilor the like is preferably floated on top of the electrolyte to preventevaporation. Also positioned within the container 101 is asecond'electrode 105. Both these electrodes may be composed of anymaterial which will stand up sufliciently under operation; but verysatisfactory results have been secured with 1 electrodes consisting ofcarbon. This second electrode extends down below the bottom of theinverted tube 100 and into a layer of crushed or granulated carbon 106,which serves to greatly increase the surface area of this electrode andthereby serves to insure good electrical contact between theelectrolyte: 102 and the electrode 105. This electrode 105 is connectedby means of the conductorto one pole of the blower operating motor 26,the other pole of which is connected by means of the conductor 111 tothe other side of tl e house lighting line. The two electrodes andthecooperating electrolyte therefore function as an auxiliary switch orcontact member within the motor" since the inside of the tube isconnected to atmosphere through the tube 115 and vent 42. Sowhen theswitch. 80 is closedtostart operation this will close the circuitthrough the magnet 87, which will swing the arma tur'e 90 to close thecontacts 92 and 93. At

this time both the electrode 95 and: the electrode 105 will be, immersedin the electrolyte and consequently the motor circuit will immediatelybe closed to cause operation ofthe blower. Because of the positioning ofthe valve 60 the gases fed from the blower will pass freely through thevent to atmosphere, the house line remaining closed ofli from theblower. So long as the switch 80 is held closed and the valve 60 remainsseated on the partition 52' with the blower outlet connected. to ventthe blower will continue to operate to blast the fuel bed.

Provided in the-partition. 52 is an orifice or passage which connectsthe chamber 53'to the chamber 54,. and beneath. the valve 60 when thatvalve is seated. on the parti tion 52. Connected to the space 54 withinthe valve casing is a passage 125, which leads into the bottom of achamber 126 within the casing 127, supported above the container 101.The chamber 126 is provided with a flexible diaphragm 128, of leather orother suitable material, which is held in place by means of a suitableretaining ring 129 and has a Weight 130 carried thereon, which weighttendsto urge the diaphragm downwardly; Mounted. upon the weight is anupwardly extending standard 131 which is connected to an arm'132 whichis in turn attached to the pivoted armature 133, associated with theelectromagnet 134. As )ressure tends to build up in the chamber 126below the diaphragm 128 the diaphragm is raised carrying the weight andarm 132 with it. The free end of the arm 132 has a latch member 135associated therewith which moves behind the end of the armature 90, asthe diaphragm moves upwardly, tolatch that armature with the contacts 92and 93 closed. As soon as this condition is realized the operator mayremove his finger from the switch 80 as the motor circuit is then heldclosed so long as the'pressure within'the casing 127 is suflicientlygreat to hold the diaphragm up.

The description of the starting operation asset out just abovepresupposes that the house line has no leaks of any sort in it. When theblower is started gas will pass through the orifice 120 at apredetermined rate. If the house line is tightthe pressure described, tohook up the plant,that is,

to latch the main motor circuit contacts closed. If, however, a valvehas been carelessly left open in the line, or any other leak of materialsize exists, the limited quantity of gas passing through the smallorifice 120 will not be suflicient to cause a building up of pressure inthe line and in the chamber 54 and consequently the dia phragm 128 willnot be actuated to cause hooking up of the mechanism. If then the fingerof the operator is removed from switch. the blower will not continue tooperate. as described above, but will immediately stop; for if thecontacts 92 and 93 are not latched together by the hookup mechanism theywill be held in contact only so long as the magnet 87 is energized, andthis will be only so long as the switch 80 is held closed. And the plantwill refuse to operate in the regular manner so long as any substantialleak exists in the house line; which renders it fool proof, for thearrangement described makes it impossible for anyone to so operate theplant so long as leakage occurs. Also it inevitably indicates to theoperator that something is wrong.

If no leak is present the hook-up mech anism will function after a shortinterval, normally a few seconds, to latch the main motor contacts shut.In order that the operator, located at a distance from the plant, mayknow that this condition exists indicating mechanism is provided. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 5 this mechanism may consist of a pressure gauge137 connected in the house line at some convenient and readily seenplace, such as a portion ofthe house line adjacent the stove andoperating switch fixture. 45. This gauge need only have means forindicating a pressure condition which corresponds to the pressurerequiredv for causing the hook-up mechanism to function. In actualoperation, therefore, the operator merely presses the button to closeswitch 80 and holds this switch closed until the indicator 137 shows apredetermined indication,which may be movement of a hand to a givenpoint, movement of a column of liquid to a given point, flashing of alight or the like, which shows that the hook-up mechanism hasfunctioned. He can then remove his finger and the motor will continue tooperate to blast the fuel bed and waste to atmosphere the resultinggases,

until the generated gas is of such character as to be satisfactorilycombustible. This may be determined by testing at the pro ducer, a smallvalve controlled test burner 139 being normally provided for thispurpose. Or the plant may be actuated to turn the generated gas into thehouse line so that the test may be made at one of the burners of thestove. If such a test at the stove shows the gas to be suitablycombustible the plant may be allowed to continue its operation. If notthe gas may be again diverted into the vent pipe and the blowing incontinued until gas of desired quality is obtained.

When it is desired to turn the gas from the vent into the house line,the indicator 137 having shown a pressure sullicient to cause thehook-up mechanism to have functioned to lock the main motor contactsclosed the operator presses the button to close switch 81. T his causesenergizing of magnet 75, the current flowing from the battery throughthe conductor 8 1, across the switch 81 along the conductor 1.38connected to that switch and thence through the winding of the magnet,the direction .of flow of the current being as desired. The magnet thenlifts the valve 60 against the seat 67 to disconnect the blower from thevent pipe and connect it to the house line. The weight and proportionsof the valve 60 are so arranged that when lifted against the seat 67 itwill be held there by the pressure of the gas. But if the pressurebeyond the restricted opening 55 falls sufliciently the weight of thevalve will no longer be sustained and the valve will fall onto thepartition to again connect the blower to the vent pipe. The arran ementis such that the pressure normally attained in the house line duringoperating conditions is sul'licientto hold the valve against the seat 67but if there is a suiiiciently abnormal drop in this pressure then thevalve will fall and the work deices connected to the house line will becut off from utilization of gas until the switch 81 is again actuated toconnect the house line to the blower. Thus if the plant is undulyoverloaded during operation the pressure in the delivery line will dropand inadequate functioning of the work devices or overloading of theproducer will thus be entirely prevented. It is thus seen that duringboth blowing in and gas making operations the motor circuit iscontrolled according to pressure conditions.

This described construction also provides another protectivefeature,prevention of automatic restarting of the plant after anabnormal interruption of the current in the house line. If this currentshould be interrupted for an appreciable time while gas is beingutilized at a work device the blower motor would stop, irrespective ofthe positioning of the auxiliary contacts, :and consequently the flamewould be extinguished at any open burner :due to failure of the gassupply. If the hook-up mechanism should remain undistuiibed the motorwould restart upon resumption of current flow through the house line andthe house would be filled with gas. But this cannot happen with thesecontrols. For when the house l ine current fails, pressure within thehouse line will of course also fail, one or more burners being open. Thevalve 60 will then be no longer sustained and will drop onto thepartition 1 52 to connect the blower to the vent pipe. At the same timepressure beneath the-diaphragm 128 will fall to atmospheric pressure andthe weight 130 will drop unlatching the hook-up mechanism and permittingseparation of the contacts 92 and 98. And so when current flowthroughthe house line is resumed the main motor circuit switch is openand the motor cannot start until there has been outsideintervention,such as the operator restarting in the normal manner.

The blower at its normal rate of operation delivers gas at such a ratethat there is a tendency for the pressure in the valve casing tocontinue to build up. As this pressure increases it acts througl-i thepassage 115 to aifect the pressure existant in. the tube 100 upon thetop surface of the electrolyte and forces that electrolyte downwardlyand out into the container 10-1. As the pressure continues to build upthe electrolyte is forced downwardly below the lower end of electrode 95to break the circuit. But due to the adhesion of the electrolyte to thelower end of the electrode as the level of the main body of theelectrolyte falls materially below the end of the electrode that portionin contact with the electrode is retained in contact and its surfacetension then causes a progressive diminution oi the cross section of the6X tended portion of electrolyte until it is pinched ofV-as showndiagrammatically in Fig. 6. As a result the current flow is not suddenlyinterrupted by quickbreaking of contact with the "contacts within arcingdistance of each other ;'but is choked OK as the resistance builds updueto the diminishing cross section of the conducting portion of theelectrolyte, and consequently objec 'tionable sparking evils and otherevils normally attendant upon'the breaking of a flowing current are notpresent as the current ilo y is finally interrupted at a flow which issubstantially zero so far as objectionable resultsnre concerned. Thisaction is accentuated'by forming the lower surface of the electrodesubstantially parallel with the surface of the electrolyte and ofconsiderable extent; and further by adjusting the conductivity of theelectrolyte so that the necked down or diminished portion below theelectrode o'lfe-rs a rapidly increasing resistance which quickly cutsthe current flow to iunobjectionable proportions. When constructed :asdescribed and used with an electrolyte which Wets the electrodes therewill he a drop or film of the electrolyte left on the lower end of theelectrode after break, and the electrolyte rises again into con- :tactwith the drop the surface tension eifects will cause substantiallyimmediate spreading of the electrolyte into contact with the whole andof the electrode to give immediately a full, low resistance contact.However, the relative arrangement and proport-ioning of the parts issuch that the pressure at this time is still sufiiciently high to holdthe latch 135 up to maintain the contacts 92 and 923 closed, and to holdthe valve 60 against its seat 67. As the pressure in the delivery :linerises, therefore, above a predetermined normal the current in the motorcircuit is interrupted; and asthe pressure falls the motor circuitwillbe'a'gain closed as soon as the electrolytecomes in contact with theelectrode 95. Thus a continuously intermittent energizing of theoperating motor will occur during use of the device, under normal gasusing operations the current to the motor and operation of the blowerbeing normally interrupted :a number of times a minute with the resultthat the effective pressure in the elelivery main 27 is maintainedsubstantially constant. In actual operation the blower itself generallydoes not cease movement as it is controlled during utilization of thegas, for the contact mechanism is responsive to slight pressurefluctuations and therefore the breaking of the motor circuit as thenormal pressure is exceeded is so brief that inertia will causecontinued rotation of the motor and blower parts. And the practicaleffect is to secure a substantially uniform gas pressure, with a veryaccurate and simple control for motors of convenftional construction andcharacteristics.

When it is desired to terminate operation of the device for a period thebutton 82 is pressed 'to' close that switch which acts through theconductors 140, 1 11 and 8% to energize the magnet 134. This swings thearmature 133 to move the latch 135 into inoperative position and as themagnet 87 is at this time unenergized the spring 142 will swing thearmature '90 to break the contact across the contact points 92 and 93thus stopping the blower. Of course the operation may also be stopped bycutting off all the burners, or other work devices when "the increasedline pressure will open the auxiliary contacts.

Pivotally attached to the casing 51 (as shown particularly in Fig. is awater container 150, having a depending pocket 151 into which extend twodrain pipes 152 and 153 which drain off from the chambers 53 and 54respectively any moisture which may condense in those two chambers. Thiswater container 150 is connected by means of a flexible pipe 155 to thesaturator 16 in the base of the producer, and water is supplied to thiscontainer through the pipe 156, which leads into a nozzle 157, the lowerend of which opens into the container 150. Carried by the containeradjacent the end of this nozzle is a valve member 158, which is movedtoward or from the opening in the nozzle 15'? as the container 150swings about its pivotal supports, one of which is indicated in dottedlines at 159. The water in the container tends to swing the containerabout its pivotal supports in one direction. The container is providedwith a projection 160 upon which is adjustably mounted the balanceweight 161. This balance weight tends to counterbalance the tendency ofthe water to swing the container in one direction, to move the valveseat toward closed position. By means of this arrangement thepositioning of the valve seat 158 with respect to the open end of thenozzle 157 varies according to the quantity of water within thecontainer. Of course the greater the load upon the producer the morerapid the vaporization of the water in the saturator for incorporationwith the air of the blast and therefore the greater the quantity ofwater which must flow from the container through the pipe 155 to thesaturator. This pivotal mounting of the container, withcounterbalancing, results in such motion of the container that the valveseat 158 is moved away from the nozzle to permit a greater flow of waterwhen the water level falls and is moved toward the nozzle to cut downthe flow of water when the water level rises.

In Figs. '7 and 8 is shown a somewhat modified form of device. In theordinary household use the gas plant may stand idle for considerableperiods, overnight for example. Ofttimes the gas is used for heating thewater in the hotwater system in which case there is a continuous load onthe producer and the fuel bed is thus maintained in good gas-makingcondition so that it immediately responds to increased load to give anydesired quantity of good gas within its capacity. But where t1 eproducer stands idle for any considerable period the ignited fuel maycool below incandescence so that it may be necessary to blow in the fuelbed afresh before good combustible gas in quan tities may be secured.This may make necessary a wait of several minutes before suitable gas issecured, and would also make necessary igniting kindling material in theproducer itself. In order that the fuel bed may be at all timesmaintained in suitable condition, even during considerable stand byperiods, means is provided whereby the blower is automatically operatedat intervals to cause a short blowing in of the fuel bed to maintain italight, this permitting remote control at all times. This means is shownin Figs. 7 and 8 in which the control mechanism is provided with asecond electrode 200, which is similar to the electrode 95', but is ofsomewhat less length. In or der to enclose these two electrodes a doubletube 201 is provided which has two depend ing legs, one 100 whichcontains the electrode 95 and the other designated by the numeral 202which houses the additional electrode 200. The upper ends of these twotubes are connected to the main body of the tube 201 by means of cement,or the like, as is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing, for example. There isalso positioned within the leg 200 of the main tube a second tube 203which extends down below the normal standby level of the electrolyte andthe interior of which is disconnected from the interior of the main bodyof the tube when its lower end is within the electrolyte. This tube 203has a branch 204 extending to the outside of the main tube 201, withinwhich is positioned a closure member having a predetermined orificetherethrough, the orifice member being designated by the numeral 205.This orifice member may be of any suitable character; but in practice asmall piece of thermometer tubing functions very satisfactorily. Themain part of the tube 201 is connected by means of passage 115 to thegas pressure within the valve casing as described above. Duringoperation the tube 201 with its two depending legs 100 and 202 will beso filled with gas that the level of the electrolyte is at approximatelythe lower end of the electrode 95'. But when the plant is shut down orstanding by the electrolyte rises within the legs 100 and 202 until itis at substantially the same level inside and outside thereof; exceptthat as the electrolyte covers the lower end of tube 203 it traps gastherein and can rise inthat tube only as the trapped gas escapes throughthe orifice in the member 205. And the effective area of that orifice issuch that after a predetermined interval the gas will have escapedsufliciently to permit the electrolyte to move upwardly in the tube 203to contact with the electrode 200. This electrode 200 is connected bymeans of a conductor 210 with the line 91 which is a circuit around themain motor circuit contacts 92-93, this arrangement being such that asthe electrolyte contacts with electrode 200 the motor is energized tostart the blower to cause blowing in of the fuel bed. But the motor willrun for only a brief period as its alight. The intervals between theseperiodic blastings will depend on the time necessary for the gas leakagefrom the tube 203 to permit closing of the bypass circuit and thisdepends on the size of the tube 203, the extent of necessary electrolyterise therein, and the effective area of the orifice. In actual. practicesatisfactory results have been sccuredwhere these blastings occur atabout live minute intervals; but the intervals between them may beregulated to suit oper ating conditions. Because of the normal stand-bypositioning of the valve 60 the gas resulting from suchperiodicalblasting will be discharged to the vent pipe.

In Fig. 9' is shown, diagrammatically, a modification which gives thesame results as does the form of Figs. 7 and 8;. but which is simpler inconstruction. In this figure a single large tube 225 i provided which issuitably supported from the cover 226, in gas-tight relation as is thecase also in the other forms shown and described above. Extending downthrough the cover 226 and into the space within the tube 225 is a secondtube 227, which is connected by means of the passage '115" to the outletof the blower, as described above. Mounted in the cover 226 andextending down different distances into the space between the two tubes225 and 227 are two electrodes 95 and 200. Also mounted in the cover 226is a leak tube 204" having an orifice member 205. The operation andfunction of these several elements are the same as described above. InFig. 9 the level of the electrolyte is shown as of immediately afterstopping the blower and before any appreciable leakage of gas throughthe leak tube 204. In Fig. 8 the level of the electrolyte is shown as ofa time when the leakage through tube has just permitted the electrolyteto contact with the electrode 200 to close the motor bypass circuit. InFigs. 3, 4 and 7 the level of the electrolyte is shown as of standbyperiod with the levels inside the tube 100 the same.

As clearly shown in Figs. 3', 4i and 5 the control mechanism is providedwith-means for effecting direct manual operation of the starting andstopping controls, in addition to the'eleetrical remote control meansfully described above. As shown the casing which encloses the twoelectromagnets which respectively effect closing of the main motorcircuit contacts, and effect breaking of that main motor circuitcontact,'is provided with two openings through which extend arms 250 and251, attached respectively to the armature 90 which constitutes oneelement of the main motor circuit contacts, and to the armature 138which constitutes the unlatching mechanism for the main motor circuitcontacts. These two arms are, as will be evident from Fig. 1 of thedrawings, im-

mediately adjacent the gas producer itself, and therefore constitutemeans readily accessible by the operator of the producer when he isworking in and about the gas producer itself. Of course the blower andthe controls need not necessarily be positioned so closely adjacent theproducer as shown, for they may be positioned any, greater distancetherefrom that might be desired. Furthermore, the controls need not bepositioned immediately adjacent. the blower, inasmuch as the use of theelectrical elements of the controls permits of remote I control from anydistance. But preferably, because of simplicity in manufacture, 1n-

stallationand operation the producer, the

purifying mechanism, the blasting means and the controls are positionedclosely adjacent each other as shown. And preferably the remote controlmeans comprises the manually controlledv electric switches, as. well asthe manually controlled arms, so. that control may be effected by eithermeans independent of the other. I 1.

Also as. clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a switch control which is aduplicate of the main switch is mounted immediately adjacent the controlmechanism, as indicated by the numeral 260. This switch gives the samemanual control of the electrical means when the operator is adjacent theapparatus set up as shown in Fig. 1 as may be had from a more remotedistance through the manipulation of the switch 45. As a matter theinvention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothese precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made in eitherwithout departing from the scope of the invention which is defined inthe appended claims- What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed'of carbonaceous material,

means for blasting said fuel bed tov cause the generation of acombustible and for distributing said gas for use, power means forcausing operation of the blasting means; and remote control means forcontrolling the operation of said power means, said control meanscomprising manually controlled means for inltia-tmg operation of thepower means, manually controlled means for stopping operation of thepower means, and automatic means for interrupting operation of the powermeans as the pressure in the distributing pipe exceeds a predeterminednormal and for restarting the operation of the power means as thepressure in the distributing pipe falls below predetermined normal.

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustiblegas and for distributing said gas for use; and means for controlling theoperation of said motor driven blasting means during the utilization ofgas comprising a motor circuit, pressure responsive means fortemporarily opening the motor circuit, and other means for permanentlyopening the motor circuit.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of acombustible gas and for distributing said gas for use; and means forcontrolling the operation of said motor driven means comprising a motorcircuit, manually controlled means for closing the motor circuit, meansadapted for positioning to hold the motor circuit closed duringgas-making operation of the producer, means for causing said holdingmeans to move into such holding positioning, and pressure responsivemeans for interrupting the motor circuit without affecting thepositioning of the said holding means.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of acombustible gas and for distributing said gas for use; and means forcontrolling operation of the blasting means comprising a motor circuit,remote manually controlled means for closing the motor circuit, meansadapted for positioning to hold the motor circuit closed, remotelycontrolled means for causing said holding means to move into suchholding position, and automatic means operable to open the motor circuitduring gas making operations without affecting the positioning of thesaid holding means.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of acombustible gas and for distributing said gas for use;

and means for controlling the blasting of the producer, compr1s1ng amotor circuit, a

lessees main switchin said motor circuit, a second switch in said motorcircuit, manually con trolled means for closing said motor circuit mainswitch, means operable to hold said motor circuit main switch closed,means for causing said holding means to move into such holding position,and automatic means for opening said second motor circuit switch withoutaffecting the positioning of the said holding means when the pressure ofthe distributed rises above a predetermined normal and for acting on theholding means to render such means inoperative to hold the motor circuitmain switch closed when the pressure of the distributed gas falls to apredetermined point below normal, irrespective of the positioning of thesecond motor circuit switch 6. Apparatus of the character described,comprising a gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceousmaterial, motor driven means for blasting said fuel bed to cause thegeneration of a combustible gas and for distributing said gas for use, amotor circuit comprising a main switch constructed to normally remainopen, and a secondary switch which tends to normally assume a closedposition, and means for controlling operation of the blasting means,comprising manually controlled means for closing the main motor circuitswitch, means constructed for positioning to hold said main motorcircuit switch closed, means for causing said holding "means to moveinto such holding position, and automatic means for intermittentlyopening and closing the secondary motor circuit switch without affectingthe positioning of the said holding means as the pressure of thedistributed gas fluctuates above or below a predetermined normal and foracting on the holding means for rendering such means inoperative to holdthe main motor circuit switch closed when pressure falls to apredetermined point below normal.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor' drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustiblegas and for'distributing said for use; and means for controllingoperation of said blasting means comprising a motor circuit having twoswitches therein both of which must berclosed for the motor to operate,manually operable means for closing one switch, means for holding suchswitch closed, and pressure responsive means for opening and closing theother switch without affecting the setting of the said one switch.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to con tain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause thegeneration of combustiblevgas and for distributing said gas for use; and means for controllingope-ration of said blasting means, comprising a motor circuit having twoswitches therein both of which must be closed for the motor to operate,manually controlled electrical means for closing one switch, pressuremeans respon sive to pressure of generated gas for holding such oneswitch closed, and other means for openingand closing the other switchwithout affecting the setting of the said one switch. 7

9;. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain. a fuel bed of" carbonaceous material, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustiblegas and for distributing said gas for use; and means for controllingoperation of said blasting means comprising a motor circuit having twoswitches therein both of which must be closed for the motor to operate,manually controlled means for'closing one switch, means for holding suchone switch closed, pressure responsive means for retaining the holdingmeans in such switch holding position so long as the delivery pressureof the gas exceeds a predeterminedininimum, other pressure responsivemeans for opening and closing the other switch as the pressure of thedelivered gas fluctuates above or below a predetermined normal withoutaffecting the setting of the said one switch, said other pressureresponsive means being adapted to close the other switch be fore thepressure falls sufficiently to render the said holding means inoperativeto hold the one switch closed, and manually controlled means for openingsaid one switch against the. action of said holding means.

10. Gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas generator, a pump for delivering the generated gas to a distributingline, an electric circuit 'for operating said pump, and control. meansfor said circuit comprising a container for receiving an electrolyte, anelectrode extend ing into said container for normal contact with theelectrolyte, a second spaced electrode extending into said container,and

' means for subjecting the electrolyte to the pressure in thedistributing line to cause its, movement into or out of contact with thesaid second electrode.

11. Gas generating apparatus ofthe character described,comprising a gasgenerator, pump for delivering the generated gas to a, distributingline, an electric circuit for operating said pump, and control'meansforsaid circuit comprising a container for receiving an electrolyte, anelectrode extending; into said container for normal contact with theelectrolyte, a second spaced electrodeextending into said container andterininating in a face substantially parallel with the normal surface ofthe electrolyte, and means for subjecting the electrolyte to thepressure in the distributing line to cause its movement into or out ofcontact with the said second electrode.

- 12. Gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprisingagas generator, a pump for delivering the generated gas to a distributingline, an electric circuit for operating said pump, a main switch in saidcircuit, and anauxiliary switch in said circuit comprising a containerfor receiving-an electrolyte, an electrode extending into said containerto be normally in contact with said electrolyte, a. second spacedelectrode extending into the container and terminating in a facesubstantially parallel withthe normal surface of the electrolyte, andmeans for subjecting the electrolyte to the pressure in the distributingline to cause its movementinto or out of contact with the said secondelectrode, the electrolyte being of such character that it will adhereto and wet the second electrode. s

18. Gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprisinga gasproducer, a pump for causing operation of said producer to generate acombustible gas, a valve casing connected to the outlet side of saidpump, a distributing line leading off from said casing, a vent. pipeleading oil. from said casing, a valve within said casing tending-tomove toward position to close off the distributing line from the outletof the pump, means for moving said valve to open connection between thedistributing line and the pump outlet and for closing connection betweenthe vent pipe and the pump outlet, thepressure of the gas flowingthrough the valve casing serving to hold the said valve in suchoperative position so long as the pressure exceeds a predeterminedamount, an electric circuit for operating the. said pump, a main switchin said circuit, means responsive to pressure conditions within thedistributing line for maintaining the said main switch in position tohold the electric circuit closed so long as that pressure exceeds apredetermined amount and to cause opening of the main switch to breakthe electric circuit when the pressure falls below such predeterminedamount, an auxiliary switch in said circuit comprising an electrode andan electrolyte, and means for subjecting the electrolyte to pressurewithin the valve casing to cause opening or closing of said auxiliaryswitch.

"14. Gas generating apparatus of the character described comprising agas producer, a pump for causing ope-ration of said producerto-generatea combustible gas, a valve casing connected to the outlet side of saidpump, a distributing line leading oil from said casing, avent pipeleading oflt" from-said casing, a valve Within said casing tending tomove toward position to close off the distributing line from the outletof the pump, means for moving said valve to open connection between thedistributing line and the pump outlet and for closing connection betweenthe vent pipe and the pump outlet, the pressure of the gas flowingthrough the valve casing serving to hold the said valve in suchoperative position so long as the pressure eXceeds a predeterminedamount, an electric circuit for operating the said pump, a main switchin said circuit, means responsive to pressure conditions within thedistributing line for maintaining the said main switch in position tohold the electric circuit closed so long as the pressure exceeds apredetermined amount and to cause opening of the main switch to breakthe electric circuit when the pressure falls below such predeterminedamount, an auxiliary switch in said circuit comprising an electrodeand-an electrolyte, and means for subjecting the electrolyte to thepressure within the valve casing to cause opening or closing of saidauxiliary contact, said electrode terminating in a flat face arrangedsubstantially parallel to the working surface of the electrolyte.

15. Apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, agas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, apump for blasting said fuel bed to'cause the generation of gas and fordistributing said gas for use, an electric motor for driving said pump,an electric circuit for said motor, a pressure actuated liquidconducting switch within said motor circuit, said switch havingrelatively movable contacts and conducting liquid responsive to smallpressure variations within said generated gas and adapted to breakcontact between said contacts and conducting liquid at a predeterminedpressure, said motor when energized operating at a speed in excess ofthat required to maintain said predetermined pressure, whereby theswitch is intermittently actuated to make and break the motor circuit tothereby drive said motor to maintain a substantially constant pressure.1

16. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor operatedmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustibleand for delivering said gas under pressure, an electric circuit for saidmotor, a switch within said circuit adapted to control the operation ofsaid motor when gas is generated for use, and means for causingintermittent operation of said motor during stand-by periods when saidmotor circuit switch is open, said means comprising a shunt motorcircuit around said motor circuit switch, and a second switch withinsaid shunt circuit.

1?. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, motor operatedmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas and todistribute said gas for use, and automatic means for causingintermittent operation of said motor during stand-by periods when gas isnot being generated for use to thereby keep said fuel bed in gas makingcondition, said automatic means comprising an electrolytic switch withinsaid circuit including a container for electrolyte, an electrode withinsaid electrolyte, a pressure tube dipping within said electrolyte, asecond electrode within said pressure tube, means for build ing up a gaspressure within said pressure tube during operation of said motor tothereiy depress said electrolyte below said electrode to open said motorcircuit, and means for effecting the slow leakage of gas from saidpressure tube to cause said electrolyte to again contact with saidelectrode to close the motor circuit after a predetermined timeintorval.

18. A gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer, a pump for causing operation of said producer to generatecombustible gas, a valve casing connected to the outlet side of saidpump, a distributing line leading off from said casing, a vent pipeleading off from said casing, a valve within said casing tending to movetoward position to close oil the distributing line from the outlet ofthe pump, and means for moving said valve to open connection between thedistributing line and the pump outlet and for closing connection betweenthe vent pipe and the pump outlet, said valve in its moved posi tionbeing so subjected to the pressure of the gas flowing through the valvecasing that this pressure will hold the said valve in such operativeposition so long as the pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, saidmoving means releasing said valve after said movement whereby when thepressure of the in said valve casing falls below said predeterminedamount said valve returns to its original position to open connectionbetween the vent pipe and pump outlet and close connection between thedistributing line and the pump outlet.

19. A gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer, a pump for causing operation of said producer to generatecombustible gas, a valve casing connected to the outlet side of saidpump, a distributing line leading off from said casing adapted in oneposition to close communication between the pump and the distributingline and in another position to close communication between the pump andthe vent pipe,'a' vent pipe leading off from said casing, a valve withinsaid casing, a work device connected to said distributing line toreceive gas distributed by said pump, said workdevice being remotelypositioned with respect to said gas producer and valve casing, andremote manual electrical control means positioned adjacent said workdevice for controlling theposition of said valve to control thecommunication of said pump outlet with said distributing line or saidvent pipe respectively. p

20. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a gas produceradapted. to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceousmaterial, motor drivenmeans for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of combustiblegas and for distributing said gas for use, and means for controlling theoperation of said motor driven blasting means, comprising a motorcircuit having two switches therein both of which must be closed for themotor to operate, manually controlled means for closing one switch,means for holding such one switch closed, pressure responsive means forretaining said holding means in such switch holding position so long asthe delivery pressure of the gas exceeds a predetermined minimum,manually controlled means for moving said holding means out of switchholding position against the action of said pressure responsive means toefiect opening of said one switch, and other means for opening andclosing the other switch without affectingthe setting of the saidoneswitch.

21. A gas generating system ofthe character described, comprising a gasproducer, a blower for blasting the fuel bed in said producer togenerate combustible gas and for delivering said gas for use, anelectric motor for driving said blower, and relay switch mechanism forcontrolling the'operation of said blower, said switch mechanismcomprising a pair of switch contacts in the motor circuit normallytending to remain open, means for closing said switch contacts, andholding means responsive to pressure of generated gas for holding saidcontacts closed as long as said pressure exceeds a predeterminedminimum.

22. A gas generating system of the character described, comprising a gasproducer, a blower for blasting the fuel bed in said producer togenerate combustible gas and for delivering said gas for use, anelectricmotor for driving said blower, and relay switch mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said blower, said switch mechanismcomprising a pair of switch contacts in the motor circuit normallytending to remain open, manually controlled electric means'for closingsaid switchicont'acts, holding means responsive to pressure of generatedgas for holding said contacts closed as long as'said pressure exceeds apredetermined minimum, and manually controlled electric means foreffecting opening of said switch contacts against the action of saidpressure responsive holding means. A

23. A domestic gas generating apparatus of the character described,comprising a small size gas producer adapted tocontain a fuel bed ofcarbonaceous material, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause thegeneration of-a combustible gas and for distributing said gas for use,adomestic work device.

such as a gas stoveremotely positioned with respect to saidgaslproducen'a delivery main for supplying gas from said producer tosaid work device, remote control means posi tioned adjacent said workdevice for initiating operation of said blasting means,-control meansfunctioning automatically to control said blasting means afterinitiation thereof and during gas generation, and other remote controlmeans positioned adjacent said work device for terminating operation ofsaid blasting means.

a A domestic gas generating apparatus Off the character described,comprising a small size gas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed ofcarbonaceous material, :means for blasting said fuel bed to cause thegeneration of-a combustible gas and for distributing said gas for use, adomestic work device such as a gas stove remotely positioned withrespect to said gas producer, a delivery main for supplying gas fromsaid producer to said work device, remote control means positionedadjacent said work device for initiating operation of said blastingmeans,-control means functioning automatically to control said blastingmeans after initiation thereof and during gas generation, other remotecontrol means positioned adjacent said work device for terminatingoperation of said blasting means, and protective control meansautomatically operative during gas generation for preventing improperoperation of said gas generating apparatus.

' 25. A gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprisinga gas producer, a pump for causing operation of said producer togenerate combustible gas, a distributing pipe connected to saidproducer, a vent pipeconnected to said producer, valve means for closingoff communication of said producer with said distributing pipe and forclosing off communication of said producer with said vent pipe, anelectromagnet for operating said valve means, an electrical circuit forsaid electromagnet, and a manually operable switch in theelectricalcircuit of said electromagnet to manually control energizationof said electromagnet to there- -.byshift said valve means to close offcommunication of the producer with one of said pipes and opencommunication of the producer with the other of said pipes at the willof the operator.

26. A gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer, a pump for blasting said producer to generate combustiblegas, an electric motor for operating said pump, an electrical circuitfor said motor, a switch therein, a distributing line connected to saidproducer for the generated gas, a member responsive to pressure ofgenerated gas in said distributing line for holding said switch closed,said member being automatically releasable when the pressure of thegenerated gas is below a predetermined minimum, and means for openingsaid switch upon release of said pressure responsive member.

27. A gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer, a pump for blasting said producer to generate combustiblegas, an electric motor for operating said pump, an electrical circuitfor said motor, a distributing line connected to said producer for thegenerated gas, pressure operated mechanism responsive to pressure ofgenerated within said distributin line for temporarily opening saidelectrical circuit when the pressure of the generatedgas exceeds apredetermined normal and for reclosing said electrical circuit when thepressure falls below aredetermined normal, and a second pressure operated mechanism responsive to the pressure of generated gas within saiddistributing line for automatically opening said elec trical circuitwhen the pressure of generated gas falls to a predetermined minimumbelow said predetermined normal pressure.

28. A domestic gas generating apparatus of the character described,comprising a small size gas producer adapted to contain a fuel. bed ofcarbonaceous material, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause thegeneration of a combustible gas and for distributing said gas for use, adomestic work device such as a gas stove remotely positioned withrespect to said producer, a de livery main for supplying gas from saidpro ducer to said work device, remote control means positioned adjacentsaid work device for initiating operation of said blasting means,control means functioning automatically to control said blasting meansafter initiation thereof and during gas generation, other remote controlmeans positioned. adjacent said work device for terminating operation ofsaid blasting means, and pressure operated mechanism responsive topressure of generated gas within said delivery main for automaticallyterminating operation of said blasting means when the pressure ofgenerated gas within said delivery main falls to a predeterminedminimum.

29. Gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer, a pump for blasting said producer to generate combustiblegas, power means for'opcrating said pump, control mechanism for saidpower means including a member for causing operation of the power meansand for terminating operation thereof, a distributing line connected tosaid producer, pressure operated mechanism responsive to pressure ofgenerated gas within said distributing line for holding said member inposition to cause operation of said power means, said pressure operatedmechanism being automatically releasable when the pressure of thegenerated gas within said distributin line is below a predeterminedminimum, and means for actuating said member upon release of saidpressure operated mechanism to thereby automatically terminate operationof the said power means. 7

30. Gas generating apparatus of the character described, comprising agas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed of incandescent solidcarbonaceous fuel, a pump for blasting said fuel bed to generatecombustible gas, an electric motor driving said pump, an

electrical circuit'for said motor, an electrical power line, connectionsbetween said electrical power line and said electrical motor circuit forsupplying electrical energy thereto, a switch within said electricalmotor circuit, and mechanism responsive to a failure in the supply ofelectrical energy from said power line to said electrical motor circuitfor automatically opening said switch.

31. A gas generating apparatus of the character described such asadapted for domestic use, comprising a small size gas producer, a pumpfor blasting the producer to generate combustible gas, power'means foroperating said. pump, a distributing line connected to said producer, awork device connected to said distributing line, control mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said power means during the supplying ofgenerated to said work device, and additional control mechanism operableduring standby periods when use of generatcd gas at said work device istemporarily discontinued for automatically and intermittently actuatingsaid power means for brief intervals to thereby maintain said fuel bedin making condition during such standby periods.

32. A gas generating apparatus of the character described such asadapted for domestic use, comprising a small size gas producer, a pumpfor blasting the producer to generate combustible gas, an electric motorfor operating said pump, an electrical circuit for said motor, adistributing line connected to said producer, a work device connected tosaid distributing line, pressure operated mechanism responsive topressure of lno generated gas within said distributing line during thesupplying of generated gas to said work device for temporarily openingsaid electric circuit to stop operation. of the motor driven pump whenthe pressure of generated gas within said distributing line exceeds apredetermined normal and for reclosing said electrical circuit torestart the motor driven pump when the pressure falls belowpredetermined normal, and additional control mechanism automaticallyoperable during standby periods when use of generated gas at said workdevice is temporarily discontinued for intermittently opening andclosing said electric circuit at brief intervals for intermittentlyoperating said motor driven pump to blast the producer at briefintervals to thereby maintain said fuel bed in gas making conditionduring such standby periods.

33. Apparatus oi the character described, comprising in combination, agas producer adapted to contain a fuel bed of carbonaceous material, agas oiitake for said producer, a pump for effecting blasting of saidfuel bed having a suction side connected to said gas offtake and apressure discharge side, a gas distribution conduit connected to thesaid discharge side of said pump, an electric motor for driving saidpump, the said electric motor when energized being adapted to drive saidpump at a rate in eX cess of that required to maintain a predeterminedgas pressure within said gas distribution conduit, an electric circuitfor said motor, a sensitive switch having parts of small inertia withinsaid motor circuit, and means responsive to pressure within said gasdistribution conduit for actuating said switch to intermittently makeand break said motor circuit in accordance with small pressurefluctuations at a rate such that the inertia of said motor and pumpmoving parts maintains the said parts in motion during the periods ofintermittent deenergization of said motor, the said motor and pump partsthereby operating at a rate less than their rate of operation whencontinuously energized and such as to maintain a substantially constantpressure within said gas distribution conduit.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

HARRY F. SMITH.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,823,382. Granted September 15, 1931, to

HARRY F. SMITH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 12,line 127, claim 19, after "casing" insert a vent pipe leading off fromsaid casing, a valve within said casing, and page 13, lines I- and 2,same claim, strike out "a vent pipe leading off from said casing, avalve within said casing,"; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of November, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

